Q on seating wads in revolvers

[gw1894]

So I'm still awaiting my first BP revolver, the 1858 NA .44 target from cabela's. I've got some supplies including some lubed wads. Just wondering if these can be difficult to seat at all.

Do you seat a wad with the loading lever before seating the ball, or do you just put the ball on top of the wad and then seat them both? Is it easy to seat them flushly on top of the powder? I'm thinking maybe they sometimes turn out of position and get folded over on their way down the chamber and don't form the proper 'seal' between the powder and the ball.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Tommygunn]

Well I usually shove the wad down and then the ball. I don't think it really is possible to fold them over ... but I guess it might happen. It seems to me the wads are too thick for that really to happen though.

 

[[email protected]]

i have been seating the wad first, but i am new at using wads, so,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[sundance44s]

The little wads aren`t needed ..when ya run try loading with out them ..
Kind of expencive at 6 bucks a 100.
All my cap & ball revolvers shoot just as well with out them ..they are more a modern invention ..But shoot`em if ya got `em ...won`t hurt anything eaither .

 

[Niner]

You don't have to ram the wads down first. Just put in the powder, put in the wad, set the ball on top of the wad and it pushes the wad down easy for a little ways by just finger pressure. Then use the ram on the pistol to seat the ball down over the load and this pushes the wad down to the powder.

 

[arcticap]

The 2nd half of this video by our own 6gun4fun (which first displays his Ruger OA loading and wadcutting tool), shows him loading his machine cut wads into the cylinder with the help of a thin screwdriver to straighten them out when necessary.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=sefuGhu3Vfo&feature=related

Related to this recent thread:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=371238

 

[Redd Flynt]

In my opinion the wads are not required for normal shooting. Crisco works fine as do any of the Lanolin lubes.

 

[theotherwaldo]

I've found that wads make my '58 Rem less accurate, unlike a topping of Crisco or Ball Butter.

 

[Niner]

I like the wads

I find that Crisco just makes for a greasy mess after you reload a time or two.

 

[Sagetown]

Hey GW:
You can use the Ram to seat the wads, but it isn't necessary. Sometimes one may get a little off centered, but the ball when seated should straighten it up. Using a .454"diameter ball makes such a tight seal, you really don't need the wad. But it does keep the barrel lubed when using real BP. Some substitute powders have an oily residue, so extra lubing isn't required.
Correct me guys if I'm wrong.

Sage

 

[Tommygunn]

In my opinion the wads are not required for normal shooting. Crisco works fine as do any of the Lanolin lubes.

True, they're not needed, if you use crisco or bore butter over the ball. I find in warm weather that causes greasy glop to run down the front of the cylinder, which is why I became a big fan of the wads.

 

[Im283]

the wads are just an un-needed extra expense. Shooting costs enough as it is. For 6 bucks I can buy a big ole can of Crisco, or 100 wads.

I have no clue how many shots I can get out of the Crisco because my wife ends up using it for stuff before I finish a can. Actually before I hardly make a dent in the can.

I will stick with Crisco.

Now if I wanted to carry the Cap and Ball revolver, wads are the way to go.

 

[Smokin_Gun]

If you want something that works very well PM me I'll set you up...they're called lube pills wax/lube discs.31,.36 or, .44 cal.

SG

 

[jmaubin]

confused

now I'm really confused, I thought that it was best to use both "wads" under the ball and lube over the ball.

 

[Voodoochile]

now I'm really confused, I thought that it was best to use both "wads" under the ball and lube over the ball.

As long as you use one or the other as a safety device to prevent possible chain fires & as a lube/cleaner you will be alright but you do not have to use both.

Like I have 2 Pietta 58's, my 23 year old likes the Wads under the ball but my 1 year old one does not & likes the lube over the ball just like my old 60 Army.

 

[Mike 56]

When i shoot bullets i use wads i seat them with a peice of 1/4 wood dowel before seating the bullet. When shooting balls i like to load 18gr fff Goex and top off the power with grits bringing the ball almost flush with the cylinder. For my 51 Colt i use a 9mm case full of grits and my 58 i use a 40cal case full of grits. I also grease the cylinder with Crisco on hot days i keep the Crisco in a ice chest with my drinks. It keeps it firm and easy to use.

Mike

 

[sundance44s]

In hot weather Crisco can make a mess on your gun leather ..I mix a little beeswax and Crisco together bring it to a melt ..let cool ..and it will harden enough to keep it firm yet still easy enough to use ..and still cheaper than anything you can buy in the gun store ...